Pharmacist - Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram (Director of Thien Duoc Co., Ltd) is known as a successful scientist with her research work group on Crinum latifolium L. and the invention of Crila capsule for the treatment of prostate and uterine fibroids. Owing to that, many people suffering from these diseases have found hope in their lives. In spite of being very busy with her work, Pharmacist - Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram did not hesitate giving us an interesting conversation.
 

Business Forum Newspaper March 23rd 2012

* Can you tell us what makes you satisfied most after this ‘famous’ research work? The results of my research work group on Crinum latifolium L. has created Crila capsule for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and uterine fibroids. What interested me most was the treatment efficacy of Crila for BPH at 89.18 % and for uterine fibroids at 79.5 %. Besides, Crila is safe for patients. Its therapeutic efficacy proved that alkaloid extraction technology has been implemented with an optimal process in order to make a product with high efficacy. Another interesting thing is the extraction technology because the right choice of suitable solvents for bioactive substance extraction will help create Crila with high therapeutic efficacy. * Crila is known to be distributed in the domestic market and expanded to international market, particularly American market; may you tell us some features about this development?

The results of clinical studies have demonstrated that Crila capsule has therapeutic capability with high efficacy. The Ministry of Health allowed Crila capsule for nationwide circulation for the treatment of uterine fibroids and prostate fibroids. Concerned about prevention more than cure, Pharmacist - Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram has created two supplements including CRILIN and Crinum latifolium L. teabag, as well as SALINA mouthwash. Her products are granted the registration patent and utility solution by National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam in 2005. Especially, Crila capsule is presented Gold Medal for “Quality product for community health” and helps her win Kovalevskaya Award in 2007 (the annual award of American organization named after a Russian female scientist for female scientists around the world).

Crila have got the confidence from many patients in Vietnam and foreign countries. Its very therapeutic efficacy has affected foreign pharmaceutical companies, in which Crinum Health Corporation of America signed a contract with our company to distribute Crila in American market. Currently, our company is gradually expanding Crila not only to American market but also other countries like Canada, Thailand, etc. In the near future, Crila will be manufactured locally and foreign companies will buy Crila powder to package but the product still carries Crila brand name of Thien Duoc Company in Vietnam. In 2012, this product will be expanded into Bulgaria and some European countries.

* The development of your company has created jobs for many workers, how meaningful is it to you?

As for me, the fact that the development of my company has created jobs for many workers is very important because my research work can create at once products for community and jobs for workers. Thanks to that, I can contribute to and promote the development of our prosperous country.

* As Director of a pharmaceutical company, in the situation of economic crisis and escalating price recently, how do you regulate to keep your products at a stable price on the market?

Medicine price is getting higher and higher because raw material price is rising. However, the price of our products remains stable and just increases in minimum rate because we have focused on improving production technology to reduce cost price. Due to advanced technology, the products’ price increases but still lower than medicinal products of the same type in our country.

* Do you have or intend to do another new research work?

The scientific research career about Vietnamese herbs of mine and my colleagues in Vietnam and foreign countries is lifetime career; therefore we have been conducting a study on a medicine from Vietnamese herbs for hemorrhoids. At present, preclinical results showed that the medicine from Vietnamese herbs for hemorrhoids has as good treatment efficacy as imported hemorrhoids-treating medicines. I hope that in the future, this medicine will contribute to hemorrhoids-treating medicine treasure in Vietnam and around the world as a product with high efficacy and safety to patients.

* As a scientist, entrepreneur, as well as a home-maker, how do you balance between public and private affair to have true happiness?

A woman requires more effort than a man because she has to manage not only social work but also family work in the same duration. With 24 hours per day, I spent a part of it caring for my health. I need to take a rest, and the rest of time is arranged with scientific research work and household chores. I can think about my scientific work at anytime and anywhere. It isn’t necessary to arrange a fixed time. While preparing dinner or plucking vegetables, manual work and intellectual work can be done at the same time. It isn’t necessary for new ideas in scientific research to appear on desk but occur when taking a nap or doing manual jobs such as preparing dinner, shopping, etc. If you know how to arrange, you both do scientific research and housework. For women, cooking, caring children and family are frequent duties, so a good combination of housework and scientific research helps maintain a happy family.

 Thank you and wish you a good health to contribute to scientific research.

Reported by LIEN HUONG

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Results of clinical studies have demonstrated Crila capsule has therapeutic capability with high efficacy. The Ministry of Health allowed Crila capsule for nationwide circulation for the treatment of uterine fibroids and prostate fibroids. Concerned about prevention more than cure, Pharmacist - Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram has created two supplements including CRILIN and Crinum latifolium L. teabag, as well as SALINA mouthwash. Her products are granted the registration patent and utility solution by National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam in 2005. Especially, Crila capsule is presented Gold Medal for “Quality product for community health” and helps her win Kovalevskaya Award in 2007 (the annual award of American organization named after a Russian female scientist for female scientists around the world).